The best Needlework books: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Pattern is taken from this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crocheted-Sea-Creatures-Collection-Knitted/dp/1861087578 I only added a zipper to the mouth in order to close it

Hi guys! Quick update for all those wanting the pattern. It's on page 108 of Crocheted sea creatures by Vanessa Mooncie.

Crocheted Sea Creatures: A Collection of Marine Mates to Make (Knitted)

Any further questions feel free to dm me & I'll pass them onto my mum as I have no clue how to crochet. Thanks for all the nice words, it's been nice seeing her smile at everyone.

Here's the book I was given, and I definitely recommend it. I get lots of ideas for fast, simple projects just browsing through it!

The various weights of yarn like fingering, Aran, double knitting, and so forth are always ranges of sizes, and not, I think especially useful for most knitters. What you really need to know is the recommended needle size, which most manufacturers helpfully provide: in this case, it's a 3.5mm needle. If you're a loose knitter, use a 3 or 3.25. If you're a tight knitter, use a 4.

An extremely useful guide for most all knitters is Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns. You make up a gauge swatch and calculate the number of stitches per inch; figure out what size you want the garment to be; and then follow the chosen pattern, getting appropriate numbers of stitches from a series of inline tables as you go. (Take a look inside the book at that link and you'll see what I'm talking about.) Once you know what you're doing, it's perfectly sensible and intuitive, and will not steer you wrong. It's basically all the patterns for all the garments, ever, and worth every cent.

Theres a book called Mega Mini Cross Stitch which seems popular and has a huge variety of little patterns in.

Otherwise it’ll probably just be a case of going on pinterest and searching for patterns or samplers individually.

https://www.amazon.com/Feminist-Cross-Stitch-Bold-Fierce-Patterns/dp/1454710802

I got the feminist cross stitch book too… and I LOVE it… maybe I’ll start with cross stitch for a start hmmmmm

https://www.amazon.com/Edgy-Embroidery-Transform-Conventional-Unconventional/dp/1624144411/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=embroidery+book+edgy&qid=1625097959&sr=8-1

Both these books are so good!!!! I really need to start doing it!!!!!

I’ve recommended Makoto Oozu’s books a few times since the patterns are both tiny and fun.

Mega Mini Cross Stitch: 900 Super Awesome Cross Stitch Motifs https://www.amazon.com/dp/1910904384/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_Stz3FbTF1GBGC

I have a book, “Mega Mini Cross Stitch” by Makoto Oozu. It has just what you’re looking for. I got it on amazon.

ETA link:

https://www.amazon.com/Mega-Mini-Cross-Stitch-Awesome/dp/1910904384/ref=sr_1_1?crid=DEUSEF4NJPQX&keywords=mega+mini+cross+stitch&qid=1574037626&sprefix=Mega+mini+%2Caps%2C216&sr=8-1

according to your introduction, you like to crochet! i’m getting into crocheting, too! i think you might like a cute critter crocheting book since you love animals, too! it’s also on sale, YAY FOR SALES!

Crochet Cute Critters: 26 Easy Amigurumi Patterns https://www.amazon.com/dp/1641522305/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Pr6tFb2QGWNGM

i also have it on my wishlist, too. wink, wink. 😉😂

thanks for the contest!!! ❤️

my wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SJOC7ZMI1B3L?ref_=wl_share

Makoto Oozu has two Greg books of miniature patterns that will help with the pattern planning part.

Mega Mini Cross Stitch: 900 Super Awesome Cross Stitch Motifs https://www.amazon.com/dp/1910904384/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_o6llFbFTK1WDW

I bought The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns on a whim, and now I've got the sweater one and the top down sweater one too. I love them so much. I'm tall so I was constantly having to adjust patterns and it was driving me mad, paying £5+ for a pretty cardigan pattern then having to re-write most of it to make it fit! Now I don't bother, I make my own patterns to fit me properly.

1st ever crochet project - I like a challenge! Decided to make this for Halloween back in Sept but it took me so long I've just finished it this evening. Ah well, still brings me great joy!

Whimsical Stitches: A Modern... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1944515631?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share.

I used a variety of patterns from the linked book to make the shape (an aubergine, pot bottom and part of a cactus!) and had to figure out how to do it as I went.

David Page Coffin — Shirtmaking: Developing Skills for Fine Sewing (Taunton Press) — published in 1998, still in print. The “definitive resource” — tons of good information, excellent presentation. One of my all-time favorites.

None specified, just the size of the finished sock. I am using the sock pattern in The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, and making it 12 inches/30 cm to be a long boot sock.

I know one to avoid though: Don't use a tube sock pattern for soldiers. The Red Cross tried that in WWII and the fellas much preferred socks with real heels.

The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges is one I use regularly.

Here's a list of libraries for the book this pattern is in. Here's an amazon link to the book. I don't think the creator has an etsy or anything for the single pattern by itself.

There’s a short row beanie hat knit from crown to brim just in garter stitch I make over and over that I used to have a pattern for but now I just kind of go by eye/memory. Might have been this one and over time I stopped bothering with the cable in favor of speed or customization https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/braid-edged-cap

I also use this book https://www.amazon.com/Knitters-Handy-Book-Patterns/dp/1931499047 for mittens and gloves especially. It’s the math already done for any size and any yarn weight for just a basic pattern. And then I’ll add any stitch patterns or colorwork or whatever that I want.

Also been meaning to make another Capucine. It’s terribly comfortable.

This book, Shirtmaking, is how I learned to make my own shirts.

I LOVE this bind off, but it takes some time to get a feeling for the right tension. I definitely had some way-too-tight sleeve cuffs at the beginning.

But the beauty of knitting is that there are tons of different techniques out there, and I hope you fin d your favorite soon!

I also got this book to up my bind off game

Crochet Cute Critters: 26 Easy Amigurumi Patterns https://www.amazon.com/dp/1641522305/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XKXMJJ56TZGCDKHF40T4

Unicorns, Dragons and More Fantasy Amigurumi: Bring 14 Magical Characters to Life! (1) (Unicorns, Dragons and More Amigurumi) https://www.amazon.com/dp/949164324X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KRPRMPRQMWFSYH4EVS9J Theses were my starter books for stuffed animals. They have some really simple patterns and the first one shows you how to sew the pieces together

I would recommend this book. I have a small stack of men's shirt patterns, but I haven't made any of them yet so I can't really recommend any particular one. The one's I've made were from patterns pulled from existing shirts.

As for whether or not it's foolish, I certainly don't think so. I'd start with an inexpensive fabric and make a toile or two, figure out the fit and any alterations that may be needed, but I'd also suggest finishing them as practice. There are quite a few ways to turn collars and to attach them, so I'd make a few of those for the practice and to see what works for you. You'll probably also want to test the buttonholes and such on scrap fabric.

The way you finish the seams and small details and how much you press as you go will really determine the difference between looking professionally made and looking home made. If you can encase a seam or fell it, it'll almost always look and feel better than overlocking no matter what the pattern says. If you don't have one, buy a good iron.

Negative ease just means "a little bit smaller than the desired size", so if your hand was seven and a half inches around, you could work a glove to be seven and a quarter inches around so it's snug. There's a reason that "fits like a glove" is an expression.

Since you know how to make a nice pair of socks, try a pair of mittens some day: they're no more difficult, and I would say they're easier. Once you know how to make a thumb, you're ready for gloves, which really are just mittens with five thumbs. Check out Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, which makes it easy to knit any garment in any size with almost any yarn: it's how I learned to make gloves.

I got a crochet cafe book for Christmas, I’m not sure if the pattern can be found outside of it but here’s a link to the book! https://www.amazon.com/Crochet-Cafe-Recipes-Amigurumi-Patterns/dp/1944515933

Pattern from Crochet Cute Critters

It was a request from my mum for her friend who is due to have a baby soon. Mum provided the yarn so it's from her stash somewhere. I used a 3.5mm hook instead of the 5mm the pattern calls for and worked in a continuous rounds rather than joining them like the pattern said.

I love him 😄

Wow I love this set! Where did you buy it?? And as for Amigurumi I am relatively new at it but i bought a book on Amazon that was beginner friendly and covers the basics of Amigurumi. [Amigurumi Book](www.amazon.com/dp/1641522305/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_ASK6MNYJZV3EXCMEPSER?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1)

Pattern from Mega Mini Cross Stitch

So Ann Budd had/has a book of standard patterns and it’s laid out so you use a formula driven chart to create any size from any (okay many ) gauges …

The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns https://www.amazon.com/dp/1931499047/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_BW0QQB02RSTRVTB3CTFJ

Or, using ravelry’s advanced search features you can look up baby sweaters and filter by the needle size or rough weight of the combined strands… (you can do a WPI, (wraps per inch ) test holding the two strands together

I searched sweater and filtered by “knitting” “picture” “all sweaters” “baby” and then Aran and Bulky weight yarn

Here’s just one hit https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quick-oats of the 435 patterns those terms returned…

Happy hunting!!

Pattern is from Whimsical Stitches by Lauren Espy

Whimsical Stitches: A Modern Makers Book of Amigurumi Crochet Patterns https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1944515631/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_RFVKHBZHKPM760KJQJTH

Pattern is from Whimsical Stitches by Lauren Espy

Whimsical Stitches: A Modern Makers Book of Amigurumi Crochet Patterns https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1944515631/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_RFVKHBZHKPM760KJQJTH

This book is considered a classic in how to sew. You can usually find cheaper editions elsewhere. It will go over most things a beginning sewist needs to know!